Ventilated slatted roofing device

ABSTRACT

A slatted roofing device, includes a frame ( 1 ) receiving a lower series ( 2 ) of grid-type mounted slats and at least a support ( 3 ) superimposed on the frame ( 1 ) receiving an upper series ( 4 ) of grid-type mounted slats, the support ( 3 ) being transversely mobile with respect to the longitudinal direction of the slats on the frame ( 1 ) to modify the lateral position of the slats of the upper series ( 4 ) relative to those of the lower series ( 2 ), the slats shifting from a completely overlapping position when the roof is open to a partial overlapping position when the roof is closed. The device includes an apparatus for lifting the support ( 3 ) relative to the frame ( 1 ) to allow air to pass through the roof even when the series of upper ( 4 ) and lower slats cover the whole roof surface.

[0001] The present invention relates to a roofing device with slatscomprising a chassis receiving a lower series of slats mounted spacedapart and at least one support superposed from the chassis receiving anupper series of slats mounted spaced apart, the support being movabletransversely to the direction of the length of the slats on the chassisto modify the lateral position of the slats of the upper series relativeto those of the lower series, the slats passing from one position oftotal overlap when the roofing is open to a partially overlappingposition when the roofing is closed.

[0002] This device will find particular application in the field ofcovering balconies or terraces or else to constitute a roofing elementfor verandas or other types of buildings.

[0003] There is known at present a roofing device permitting themodulation and distribution of sunshine, from the document FR-A-2747707.

[0004] According to this document, a device is proposed to obtain aslatted roofing device with ventilation.

[0005] Such a device is satisfactory as to the distribution of theregions of shadow and light. However, when total darkness is desired,the roofing is totally closed. It is understood by this that no passageof air is permitted between the slats to ventilate the roofing.

[0006] Such roofing has limited possibilities of use: the user cannottotally shield himself from the sun or rain whilst maintainingventilation through the roofing.

[0007] The invention has for its object to overcome this drawback and topropose for this purpose a roofing device in which the slats have thecapability of movement increase relative to known techniques.

[0008] In particular, beyond the transverse movement, the slats can bemovable so as to ensure offsetting as to level and to permit passage ofair through an interstitial space.

[0009] Other objects and advantages will become apparent from thedescription which follows.

[0010] The present invention relates to a slatted roofing device,comprising a chassis receiving a lower series of slats mounted spacedapart and at least one support superposed on the chassis receiving anupper series of slats mounted spaced apart, the support being movabletransversely to the lengthwise direction of the slats on the chassis tomodify the lateral position of the slats of the upper series relative tothose of the lower series, the slats passing from a totally overlappingposition when the roof is open, to a partially overlapping position whenthe roof is closed, characterized by the fact that it comprises meansfor elevating the support relative to the chassis to permit the passageof air through the roof even when the upper and lower series of slatstotally overlap all the surface of the roof.

[0011] This device can have the modifications set forth hereafter:

[0012] the elevation means comprise several carriages distributed alongthe transverse edges of the support, each carriage comprising at leastone wheel adapted to move transversely on a rolling surface secured tothe chassis, said rolling surface comprising:

[0013] two flat parallel regions at different elevations;

[0014] a connecting ramp between the two flat regions, the amplitude oftransverse movement of the support to the foot of the ramp being lessthan or equal to the width of overlap of two superposed slats, one ofthe lower series, the other of the upper series, when the roofing is inthe closed position.

[0015] the support comprises two transverse longitudinal beams on eachof which are mounted a portion of the carriages.

[0016] the rolling surface is constituted, for each carriage, by aprofile having a flat wing mounted on the chassis and to which isconnected a wedge provided with an oblique portion forming the ramp anda flat portion parallel to the flat wing to form the flat regions.

[0017] at least one series of slats is of triangular cross-section whosebase constitutes the width of the slat.

[0018] the base of the slats is prolongated, beyond the other isometricsides of the slats, by a wing coacting with sealing means.

[0019] the lower series of slats is of triangular cross-section whosebase constitutes the width of the slat and said base is incurvedinwardly of the roofing to create a channel for the evacuation of water.

[0020] The accompanying drawings are given by way of indicative exampleand are not limiting. They show one embodiment according to theinvention, they permit easy comprehension of the invention.

[0021]FIG. 1 is a general view from above of a roofing device in aparticular embodiment.

[0022]FIG. 2 is a longitudinal view in cross-section of such a device.

[0023]FIGS. 3 and 4 show a particular embodiment of the elevation means.

[0024] FIGS. 5 to 7 show schematically different configurations ofopening or closing of the present device.

[0025]FIG. 1 shows generally an embodiment of the roofing device inquestion.

[0026] This device comprises a chassis 1 on which are mounted variousslats constituting a series of lower slats 2 shown in FIG. 2. Thechassis 1 is movably mounted in a transverse direction corresponding tothe perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the slats, at leastone support 3 adapted to receive a plurality of slats constituting anupper series 4 also visible in FIG. 2.

[0027] Drive means, which can be manual or constituted by a motorization17 according to the example of FIG. 1 for one of the supports 3, ensurethe transverse mobility of the support 3 relative to the chassis 1.

[0028] Guiding movement means ensure the movement of the support 3relative to the chassis 1.

[0029] In particular, a support structure as shown in the mentioneddocument FR-A 2747707 is suitable and can be used in the presentinvention.

[0030] Because of the mobility of the series of upper slats 4, it ispossible to vary stepwise or continuously the condition of overlap ofthe series of lower slats 2 and upper slats 4. The regions of shadow andlight are thus modified as desired according to the wishes of the user.

[0031] In addition to this possibility, the present invention has theadvantage of permitting the roof to be ventilated whilst maintainingcomplete protection from the sun and rain.

[0032] To this end, the device comprises means for elevating the support3 relative to the chassis 1. To do this, the series of upper slats 4 israised relative to the series of lower slats 2, which permits thecreation of an interstitial space between their two respective levels.

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment, the elevation means compriseseveral carriages 5, for example four, distributed along the transverseedges of the support 3 so as to drive the latter with an elevationalmovement relative to the chassis 1.

[0034] To do this, the carriages 5 comprise at least one wheel 6 adaptedto move transversely over a rolling surface secured to the chassis 1.

[0035] To effect elevation, the rolling surface comprises two flatparallel regions indicated respectively at 7 a for the lower levelregion and 7 b for the upper level region. Between these two zones 7 a,7 b, a portion of the rolling surface is constituted by a connectingramp 8.

[0036] As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the wheel 6 of the carriage 5 isadapted to traverse the rolling surface from the lower flat region 7 ato the upper flat region 7 b and this via a transition regionconstituted by the ramp 8.

[0037] It is easy to see that this design combines the traverse movementof the support 4 with that of elevation.

[0038] To permit passage of air through the roofing whilst preservingcomplete protection from the sun and rain, it is important to adjust thedegree of movement of the support 3 according to the size of the bladesand their overlap.

[0039] More precisely, the amplitude of transverse movement of thesupport 3 to the foot of the ramp 3 will be less than or equal to thewidth of overlap of the two superposed slats.

[0040] By this particular choice of size and amplitude of movement,there can be obtained a relative position of the slats of the lowerseries 2 and upper series 4 as shown in FIG. 6.

[0041] It will be seen that no region of the roofing is exposed to theoutside and at the same time ventilation is permitted.

[0042] Preferably, the support 3 comprises two longitudinal beams onopposite sides of the ends of the slats, the beams extendingtransversely and each receiving half the carriages 5.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the rolling surface for the wheel 6can comprise a wedge 9 adapted to constitute the flat region of upperlevel 7 b and the ramp 8.

[0044] This wedge 9 is positioned on a wing 12 mounted on the chassis 1.In this way, the roiling surface is provided very effectively and atleast cost.

[0045] Moreover, it is advantageous to provide abutments 11 a, 11 b tolimit the amplitude of movement of the carriage 5. To this end, anabutment 11 a as shown in FIG. 4 permits limiting the movement of thecarriage when the support is in the lower position and an abutment 11 bpermits limiting the movement of the carriage when the support 3 is inelevated position.

[0046] FIGS. 5 to 7 show different relative positions of the series oflower slats 2 and upper slats 4.

[0047]FIG. 5 shows partially the roofing device in a totally closedposition. FIG. 6 shows an intermediate position in which ventilation ispermitted whilst protection from the sun and weather is preserved. FIG.7 shows a position of substantial overlap between the slats of the upperseries 4 and lower series 2 permitting a wide opening of the roofingdevice according to the invention, to the outside.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, one of the series of slats andpreferably both series 2, 4 have slats of triangular cross-section.

[0049] In particular, an isosceles triangular cross-section is preferredwith a base 13 constituting the width of the slat and isometric sides 14constituting the two other sides.

[0050] It is preferable that the slats carry sealing means 16. Thelatter can be constituted by a joint mounted in a recess formed on oneof the blades and is applied by its other edge on a slat of the oppositeseries.

[0051] FIGS. 5 to 7 also show a possibility to this end.

[0052] To carry the sealing means 16, the base 13 of the slats comprisesa slat 15 a, 15 b.

[0053] Moreover, the base 13 of the slats of the lower series 2 willpreferably be incurved toward the interior of the roofing so as tocreate a channel for evacuation of water.

[0054] The roofing device thus constituted is usable in a very practicalmanner.

[0055] It suffices that the user actuate manually or by motorization(for example an electric motor reducer or a hydraulic system) thetransverse movement of the support 3 relative to the chassis 1.

[0056] According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, thetransverse movement thus produced gives rise to a movement of elevationby the particular design of the rolling surface on which the wheels 6 ofthe carriages 5 are positioned.

[0057] According to the degree of advance of the transverse movement ofthe support 3 on the chassis 1, the overlapping surface of the slats canbe modified as desired as well as the relative position of the series ofupper slats 4 relative to the series of lower slats 2.

REFERENCES

[0058]1. chassis

[0059]2. lower series of slats

[0060]3. support

[0061]4. upper series of slats

[0062]5. carriage

[0063]6. wheel

[0064]7 a, 7 b. flat regions

[0065]8. ramp

[0066]9. wedge

[0067]10. profile

[0068]11 a, 11 b. abutment

[0069]12. wing

[0070]13. base

[0071]14. isometric sides

[0072]15 a, 15 b. wing

[0073]16. sealing means

[0074]17. motorization

1. Slatted roofing device, comprising a chassis (1) receiving a lowerseries of slats (2) mounted spaced apart and at least one support (3)superposed on the chassis (1) receiving an upper series (4) of slatsmounted spaced apart, the support (3) being movable transversely to thelongitudinal direction of the slats on the chassis (1) to modify thelateral position of the slats of the upper series (4) relative to thoseof the lower series (2), the slats passing from a position of totaloverlap when the roofing is open to a position of partial overlap whenthe roofing is closed, characterized by the fact that it comprises meansfor elevating the support (3) relative to the chassis (1) to permit thepassage of air through the roofing even when the series of upper slats(4) and lower slats overlap all the surface of the roofing.
 2. Slattedroofing device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that theelevation means comprise several carriages (5) distributed along thetransverse edges of the support (3), each carriage (5) comprising atleast one wheel (6) adapted to move transversely over a rolling surfacesecured to the chassis (1), said rolling surface comprising: two flatparallel regions (7 a, 7 b) at different levels of elevation; a ramp (8)connecting between the two flat regions (7 a, 7 b), and that theamplitude of transverse movement of the support up to the foot of theramp (8) is less than or equal to the width of overlap of two superposedslats, one of the lower series (2), the other of the upper series (4),when the roofing is in closed position.
 3. Slatted roofing deviceaccording to claim 2, characterized by the fact that the support (3)comprises two transverse longitudinal beams on each of which are mounteda portion of the carriages (5).
 4. Slatted roofing device according toclaim 2 or claim 3, characterized by the fact that the rolling surfaceis constituted, for each carriage (5), by a profile having a flat wing(12) mounted on the chassis (1) and to which is connected a wedge (9)provided with an oblique portion forming the ramp (8) and with a flatportion parallel to the flat wing (12) to form the flat regions. 5.Slatted roofing device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterizedby the fact that at least one series of slats (2, 4) is of triangularcross-section whose base (13) constitutes the width of the slat. 6.Slatted roofing device according to claim 5, characterized by the factthat the base (13) of the slats is prolonged beyond the other sides (14)of the slats by a wing (15 a, 15 b) coacting with sealing means (16). 7.Slatted roofing device according to claim 5 or claim 6, characterized bythe fact that the lower series of slats (2) is of triangular sectionwhose base (13) constitutes the width of the slat and that said base(13) is incurved toward the interior of the roofing to create a channelfor the evacuation of water.